Patriots.com News Blitz - 4/17/2012

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:40 AM EDT

By Mike Hacku

Staff Writer

ESPNBoston.com reports that Patriots wideout Wes Welker did not report to the start of the team's voluntary workouts on Monday. Welker, who was given the franchise tag last month, has yet to sign his tender that would guarantee him roughly $9.5 million next season. The hope is that both sides can reach a long-term agreement before the mid-July deadline for franchised players, but Welker stated earlier this month that he is OK with playing the 2012 season under the tag. Participation in voluntary workouts are not required.

Mike Rodak of ESPNBoston.com writes that Ohio linebacker Noah Keller will make a pre-draft visit to Foxboro for a workout on Tuesday. Noah, a middle linebacker, recorded 116 tackles and was named to the All-MAC second-team last season. The 6-foot-1, 245 pounder went on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Sunday and stated that he believes he has the versitility to play outside linebacker. "I think I've showed with my Pro Day numbers that not only am I strong enough to play inside, but I have the speed, agility, and quickness to play outside," Keller said. "I made sure over this winter I worked a lot with my outside linebacker coach definitely a lot on all my pass rush moves, so I just think that's one thing that I definitely never got to show on film, playing inside all my career, but it's something that I think I can do."

Christopher Price of WEEI.com writes that Patriots defensive tackle Kyle Love has signed his one-year, exclusive rights free agent tender. A league source has confirmed the report. Love, who was present for the start of New England's offseason program on Monday, played a big role for the Patriots last season and notched 33 tackles and three sacks. The Boston Globe was the first to report the news.

Christopher Price also writes that Patriots free-agent linebacker Gary Guyton has signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, according to a league source. Guyton recorded 229 tackles and 4.5 sacks over the course of his four year tenure in New England.

Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes that although there have been murmors of the Patriots being in love with Alabama safety Mark Barron, the Cowboys may take him off the NFL Draft board first according to this report.